Diskanten

Diskanten, in acoustics and audio engineering, denotes the high-frequency portion of the audible spectrum. It commonly starts around 2 kHz and extends to roughly 20 kHz, although practical hearing limits and equipment can shift this range. The diskanten region contributes to perceived brightness and articulation, the crispness of consonants, and the spatial sense of an audio image. Fine details such as sibilants and high overtones are carried in this range.

In loudspeakers, diskanten is reproduced by tweeters and other high-frequency drivers; crossovers shape the energy delivered to those drivers, and room acoustics influence perceived level and tonal balance. In recordings and playback, equalization and mastering decisions affect diskanten: boosting or attenuating this range changes perceived clarity and harshness.

Perception varies by listener and equipment; age-related hearing loss commonly reduces sensitivity to high frequencies, altering the perceived balance. Excessive diskanten can cause listening fatigue or harshness, while insufficient diskanten yields dullness and reduced intelligibility.

Measures of diskanten appear in the overall frequency response of a system. Balance in this range is typically evaluated as part of the tonal balance of a sound system. Terms such as “sparkle” or “air” are colloquial descriptions for high-frequency energy and its perceived impact on clarity and liveliness.